With so many of my friends traveling to Italy in the next year, I had craving for the comfort of some spaghetti and meatballs (it’s not authentic, but whatevs). I had to pair the meal with a wine, so I grabbed a bottle of 2015 Cecchi Chianti Classico.

Established in 1893, Cecchi (pronounced check-ee, which I have trouble saying) is one of the oldest producers in Tuscany, pioneering the growth and development of the Sangiovese grape worldwide.  Cecchi puts an emphasis on innovation and sustainability.

Chianti is a small region within Tuscany, but there are eight sub-zones. The truest examples come from Chianti Classico, which is the name given to wines from the original historic boundaries. Like all Chianti’s, this wine is made mostly with Sangiovese (this one is 90%).

The wine was ruby red with some garnet and had a strong aroma of spice, peppers, dried herbs, black cherry, and leather. It tasted dry and acidic with red fruit, dried herbs, and tomato – it had a bit of a savoriness to it. The high-acidity of the sauce was balanced wonderfully by the You can find it at Total Wine for under $12. A nice value wine for weekday drinking.